The deadliest disease of our age is loneliness. It is a killer disease of epidemic proportions. It is a plague that misses no one. Loneliness is no respector of persons, ageor status. It is by no means exclusive with singles or the aged. It is not confined to those who must live alone. It sickens people in the midst of people as well as the loner. It pains the married as well as the widowed and divorced.

Many experiences cause us to suffer loneliness. Illnesses tend to separate us from social activities with others and makes for awful loneliness. A breakdown in communication between husband and wife or parents and children can make for terrible loneliness. The loss of a friend due to a move out of town or death makes for loneliness. Having to make decisions with no one to talk them over with makes you feel lonely.

Loneliness does all kinds of things to us. It makes us tired, weary and depressed. Loneliness makes for all kinds of psychosomatic ills and can even deteriorate the organic cells of the body. Loneliness affects our temperament, disposition, humor and efficiency. It plays havoc with our lives more ways than is known.

You can overcome your loneliness. You must make the effort. No one can do it for you---even God won't do it for you.

1. First of all hear what Jesus is assuring you: "I am with you." Loneliness is not being alone but feeling alone. It is that feeling of being cut off from God and other people.I always find great consolation in the verse, "Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

2. Love your neighbor. One has to be a friend to have friends Even Jesus with all his inner strength needed people with whom he could relate in a meaningful way. He didn't wait for others to make or collect friends for him. He did it himself. God helps the lonely who help themselves.

3. Be willing to pay the price of loneliness to stand by your convictions. The higher your character the more you may repel people, as well as attract them.The person willing to pay the price of loneliness in order to stand by God and good no matter where everyone else is, will never walk alone.

4. Learn to use whatever aloneness you have creatively. Aloneness can be precious. Our greatest thoughts and ideas come when we use our solitude creatively.

The good news for all lonely people is God's friendship. Accept no substitutes. This good news accepted and believed results in the cure of the most dangerous and killing disease
---loneliness.